Compositions and methods for treating ocular diseases and conditions

Abstract

The present invention relates to compositions and methods for prevention and treatment of ocular diseases and conditions, particularly glaucoma and ocular hypertension. The compositions and methods of the invention utilize immune-derived moieties that are specifically reactive against the bioactive lipid, sphingosine-1-phosphate, and its variants, which moieties are capable of decreasing the effective concentration of bioactive lipid being targeted. In one embodiment, the immune-derived moiety is a humanized monoclonal antibody that is reactive against sphingosine-1-phosphate.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for treating, arresting the progression of, or preventing an ocular disease or disorder associated with undesirably high levels of sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P), comprising delivering to an eye of a subject in need of such treatment an amount of a composition effective to treat or prevent the ocular disease or disorder, thereby treating, arresting the progression of, or preventing the ocular disease or disorder in said eye, wherein the composition comprises an antibody, or antibody fragment, that binds and neutralizes S1P. 
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the ocular disease or disorder associated with S1P is selected from the group consisting of glaucoma and ocular hypertension. 
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 2  wherein the glaucoma is open-angle glaucoma. 
     
     
         4 . A method according to  claim 3  wherein the open-angle glaucoma is primary open-angle glaucoma. 
     
     
         5 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the composition is administered systemically, intraocularly, or topically. 
     
     
         6 . A composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the anti-S1P agent is selected from the group consisting of a chimeric antibody and a humanized antibody. 
     
     
         7 . A method for decreasing or arresting an increase in intraocular pressure, comprising delivering to an eye of a subject an amount of a composition effective to decrease or arrest an increase in intraocular pressure, wherein the composition comprises an antibody, or antibody fragment, that binds and neutralizes S1P. 
     
     
         8 . A method according to  claim 7 , wherein decreasing intraocular pressure is achieved by increasing the outflow of aqueous humor from the eye. 
     
     
         9 . A method according to  claim 7 , wherein the subject suffers from ocular hypertension and/or glaucoma. 
     
     
         10 . A method according to  claim 9  wherein the glaucoma is open-angle glaucoma. 
     
     
         11 . A method according to  claim 10  wherein the open-angle glaucoma is primary open-angle glaucoma.